No Racism: Refugees Welcome Here

The St Andrew's Day Anti-Racism March and Rally this year has the theme 'No Racism: Refugees Welcome Here.' The rally will take place on Sat 28th Nov, Assemble 10:30am Glasgow Green. Below is a Guest Blog from Willie Rennie MSP, Leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats on the importance of this March.

In recent years we have made substantial progress towards tackling prejudice and our country is a better place as a result.

But attitudes towards those seeking sanctuary in our country have been slower to change.

Too many people still view refugees as an unnecessary burden. With the Prime Minister and tabloid headlines warning of “swarms” of migrants coming to our shores, it is easy to see how these views can persist.

The refugee crisis is the biggest humanitarian challenge that Europe has faced since 1945. Our response to the crisis needs to match the scale of this challenge.

And just as we speak out against racism, we need to ensure that we are challenging those who would see us ignore our obligation to help.

We must not allow those who would use this tragedy as an excuse to pull up the drawbridge to win the argument.

We must not let prejudice and small-mindedness prevent us from helping people who need our support desperately.

The failure of the UK government to accept more than a fraction of the refugees we should be helping is enormously disappointing.

Britain has always been a country that welcomed refugees, from those fleeing religious persecution in the 17th century, to the children saved through the kindertransport ahead of World War II. Now is not the time to abandon these historic values.

We can do more to help. We must do more to help.

It is down to all of us who would see us react to the refugee crisis with tolerance, openness and compassion to speak with one voice and send a strong, clear message.

Refugees are welcome here.

Willie Rennie MSP

Leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats

Our Future Free From Racism

We have learnt a lot over the past year about Scotland and the people who make this country great. In looking to our future, we have explored our shared past, discussed our common values, and celebrated our differences. For the overwhelming majority the debate was respectful and mature.

But on occasion there was prejudice and intolerance. That is damaging to us all and there is no place for it in modern Scotland.

Since last year’s rally, we have lost a giant in the global fight against racism with the passing of Nelson Mandela. The circumstances in which he was fighting prejudice and intolerance may have been hugely different, but a belief in the power of education to change the future transcends all.

The anti-apartheid icon said “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” I could not agree more; because from the poorest of countries to the richest of nations, education is the key to moving forward in any society.  

I said that the debate on our constitutional future was respectful and mature. I was proud that nowhere was this better demonstrated than when I spoke to young people. Extending the voting franchise to 16 and 17 year olds was seen as a risk by some but Scotland’s young people proved their critics wrong.

That is why I have no doubt that we will build a truly liberal, open, welcoming Scotland. A Scotland where individuals are judged on their character, not their colour; on their person, not our prejudice. A country which shows no tolerance to narrow-mindedness and where equality stands front and centre.

With the eyes of the world on us, people across Scotland have shown that they want substantial and meaningful change which is bold and ambitious. I say to those joining the rally today that we need to be as bold and as ambitious in our vision for a future free from racism. From the young people I met during the referendum campaign, that future is in good hands.

Willie Rennie

Leader, Scottish Liberal Democrats